Greek coalition split delays austerity vote, PM warns of ‘chaos’

ATHENS (AP) — Greece’s coalition government will delay a vote on major new austerity measures by another week, warning Tuesday there would be financial “chaos” if a deal is not reached.

Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras told reporters that the austerity measures, worth C13.5 billion ($17.4 billion), would be submitted to parliament next week, as the three parties in government continue to disagree over new savings demanded by international bailout lenders.

Stournaras denied local media reports that the bill could be broken up to ease objections by a left-wing junior coalition partner.

“All of the (draft legislation) will be submitted next week — I think there is no other way to do it,” he said.

Greece’s bailout creditors want the austerity package passed if they are to hand over more loans that Greece needs to avoid bankruptcy.

Greece’s conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras is at odds with the Democratic Left party, a coalition partner, which is threatening to vote against the new austerity measures unless labour reforms included in them are scrapped.

Samaras formed a coalition with the traditional rival Socialists and the Democratic Left after general elections in June.

In a statement, the prime minister said he had “exhausted all the available time” to try and reach a consensus.

“The problem is not whether we (introduce) this measure or that measure. On the contrary: It is what we would do if no agreement is reached and the country is led into chaos.”

Unemployment in Greece has topped 25 per cent, with rapidly worsening poverty that has prompted the Democratic Left to harden its position.

“There are certain issues for us that are fundamental — like labour issues,” Theodoros Margaritis, a senior member of the Democratic Left party, told private Skai television.

“The dilemma is with Mr. Samaras. Does he want a left-wing party in his government or not? Does he want our consent on certain issues or does he want to proceed alone? If he wants, he may proceed alone.”

Cracks in Greece’s coalition government are likely to be tested late Tuesday when lawmakers are set to vote on a privatization bill.

The new law would give the government broader powers to privatize public utilities, but is facing growing dissent from deputies in the Socialist party and Democratic Left.